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The Age of Innocence with Libby Watson

Blank Check with Griffin & David

2h 43m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

In this episode of Blank Check with Griffin and David, the hosts are joined by podcast host Libby Watson to discuss Martin Scorsese's 1993 period drama The Age of Innocence. The conversation begins with an extensive, highly specific detour through nineties television programming and sitcom time slots before transitioning into the Gilded Age etiquette, food, and class structures depicted in Scorsese's film. The discussion centers on Daniel Day-Lewis's meticulous preparation and performance as Newland Archer, Winona Ryder's deceptively powerful role as May, and the suffocating psychological weight of high-society conformity.

  • Daniel Day-Lewis prepared for his role by dressing in 1870s attire and staying in a Victorian hotel. 1:27:46
  • Scorsese's film adapts Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel very faithfully down to the narrator. 49:21
  • Winona Ryder received an Oscar nomination for her performance, which was the film's sole acting nod. 1:34:44
  • The extravagant Gilded Age meals featured a bizarre and seemingly unappetizing multi-course lineup. 2:05:01

Chapters

  1. 0:00
    Live Show Recap and Dynasty Livestream

    David and Griffin review their recent live episode, discuss the Dynasty livestream, and tease future content.

  2. 1:39
    Frasier’s Gilded Age Accent Debate

    The hosts debate the authenticity of Daniel Day‑Lewis’s portrayal of a 19th‑century character, referencing Frasier’s style.

  3. 4:56
    Must‑See TV Era and Frasier’s Slot Shifts

    Discussion of NBC’s Thursday night lineup, Frasier’s time‑slot changes, and the concept of “must‑see TV.”

  4. 5:33
    From Friends to Frasier: The Thursday Night Legacy

    Hosts recount the evolution of the Thursday night lineup from Friends to Frasier, including other sitcoms and their fates.

  5. 24:19
    Introducing Libby Watson and the Age of Innocence Podcast

    The episode officially introduces guest Libby Watson and outlines the focus on the Pulitzer‑winning novel and podcast.

  6. 36:11
    Podcast Advertising and Product Placement

    David and Griffin showcase their ad spots for mattresses, shopping sites, and Audible, blending promotion with conversation.

  7. 40:20
    Zombie Fears, Gaming, and Personal Anecdotes

    A lighthearted segment where the hosts share their experiences with zombie movies and video games, revealing personal fears.

  8. 41:56
    Frasier Fanatics and British Pop Culture Exchange

    The hosts swap stories about Frasier, British TV, and the nuances of UK slang, highlighting cultural differences.

  9. 45:05
    Opening Banter and Movie Context

    Hosts riff on family resemblance and set the stage for discussing the film adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel.

  10. 46:08
    Exploring 19th Century New York Settings

    Conversation dives into the historical accuracy of Fifth Avenue and the film’s depiction of 1870s Manhattan.

  11. 49:11
    The Age of Innocence: Adaptation and Themes

    Discussion turns to the film’s faithfulness to the novel, its portrayal of class, and the characters’ inner lives.

  12. 54:45
    Family History and the Wombles Legacy

    Hosts share personal anecdotes about their great‑aunt’s creation of the Wombles and its cultural impact in Britain.

  13. 1:06:52
    Wrap‑Up and Promotional Segments

    The episode concludes with sponsor plugs, a brief recap, and a teaser for future content.

  14. 1:10:44
    Casting, Character Dynamics, and Filmic Choices

    Talk shifts to casting decisions, character relationships, and the film’s narrative structure and voice‑over use.

  15. 1:12:55
    Scorsese, Cox, and Production History

    Hosts recount the behind‑the‑scenes journey of getting Scorsese on board and the script’s development challenges.

  16. 1:24:19
    Daniel Day‑Lewis’s Performance and Process

    The conversation focuses on Day‑Lewis’s preparation, his relationship with Scorsese, and his approach to the role of Newland Archer.

  17. 1:29:33
    Jared Harris and Daniel Day‑Lewis on Character Immersion

    The hosts recount a story about Jared Harris’s intense commitment to playing Ulysses S. Grant and how Daniel Day‑Lewis’s own performance style influenced the set.

  18. 1:31:33
    Thematic Analysis of the Film’s Narrative

    Exploration of the film’s plot, character dynamics, and thematic elements such as infidelity, power, and societal expectations.

  19. 1:38:20
    Historical Context: Gilded Age vs. Victorian Etiquette

    Hosts compare the film’s depiction of 19th‑century New York with Victorian British customs, touching on class, opera wars, and social rituals.

  20. 1:57:10
    Closing Remarks and Future Episode Teasers

    The episode wraps up with final thoughts, a nod to upcoming topics, and a playful sign‑off.

Highlights

  • 5:17

    Must See TV Historyinsight

    The hosts spend the beginning of the episode deep-diving into the complicated scheduling history and ratings of NBC's iconic Must See TV Thursday lineup, specifically focusing on Frasier.

  • 23:32

    Scorsese's Most Violent Filminsight

    The hosts argue that The Age of Innocence is secretly Martin Scorsese's most violent film because the upper-class characters destroy each other with polite words rather than guns.

  • 44:18

    Family Resemblancesstory

    The guest and hosts share funny and devastating anecdotes about looking like their parents and grandparents as they age.

  • 1:12:25

    Getting the Project Madestory

    Jay Cox gave Scorsese the book in 1980, but years passed through various studio switches and heavy hitters before Columbia finally picked it up.

  • 1:27:57

    Daniel Day-Lewis Smellsdata

    A fascinating detail about Day-Lewis's acting process is revealed: he develops a unique fragrance or essential oil for every character he plays.

  • 2:05:01

    Gilded Age Dinner Menusdata

    A historical food stylist's notes reveal the bizarre progression of a high-society Gilded Age dinner, featuring turtle soup, fish, Roman punch, and multiple meat courses.

  • 2:39:47

    Box Office Breakdowndata

    The hosts look at the box office charts for September 1993, where The Age of Innocence opened at number six behind Bruce Willis's Striking Distance and The Fugitive.

Quotes

  • “Incredible that the backbone of must see TV, they would cycle in other shows for a couple of seasons”
    Unnamed speaker · 3:09
  • “where it was weird to push a pre-existing show that hard”
    Unnamed speaker · 10:35
  • “This is a podcast about filmography, as directors who have massive success early on in their careers, and are given a series of blank checks to make whatever crazy passion projects they want”
    Unnamed speaker · 21:27
  • “And I've been working for years on a master document of every game based on a movie we've covered”
    Unnamed speaker · 27:27
  • “I mean, anyone can make a fucking Yorkshire pudding. We make them here. They're just called popovers here”
    Unnamed speaker · 35:32
  • “I found it really unseemly. I found the arrogance and the elitism of it very upsetting to me.”
    Unnamed speaker · 59:54
  • “I think it's like the Richard E. Grant character in this movie is quietly one of the most fascinating characters.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:00:33
  • “I'll be drunk as fuck the whole time.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:30:44
  • “I'm sitting there watching this performance and going like, is this what I would call a passive aggressive Oscar nomination?”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:34:53
  • “And then I got to the twist and I was like, I 100% get this. She fucking nailed this.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:35:33
  • Dynasty Typewriter 0:22–1:13
  • Lisa.com 35:49–37:43
  • Shop.com 37:11–39:51
  • Audible 39:37–41:56
  • XYZ Films and the acclaimed new documentary Capturing Bigfoot 1:06:52–1:10:36
  • Marriott 2:01:14–2:01:57

About this episode

Join us this week as we step into the Gilded Age with 1993's The Age of Innocence, an unexpected swerve from the guy who just directed Goodfellas and Cape Fear. But, as many film bros on Letterboxd will say - hot take, this is actually Scorsese's "most violent" movie! Libby Watson of the What's All This Then? podcast graces us with her presence, encouraging much discussion of British things, including Griffin's ancestral connection to the Wobbles and Miriam Margoyles' many appearances on Graham Norton. And, of course, there's much Dan Lewis discussion. Sign up for Check Book https://blankcheckpod.substack.com/welcome, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. http://www.patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter https://x.com/blankcheckpod?lang=en, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/blankcheckpod/?hl=en, Threads https://www.threads.net/@blankcheckpod?xmt=AQGzctAh4mbWTwYzCV1pzNT6AMV9o99EOfymi8TLR5mTde0 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/blankcheckpodcast/! Buy some real nerdy merch https://kinshipgoods.com/blankcheck Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/blankies/s/gpcOkQr8Sv or Discord https://discord.gg/Q6YGSR3JrA For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com https://www.blankcheckpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

0:00
2:43:17

35,158 words · 7 speakers

Topics

  • Frasier
  • Friends
  • Seinfeld
  • ER
  • New York
  • Star Wars
  • The Wombles
  • The Gilded Age
  • Will and Grace
  • The Age of Innocence

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